Creative Missionaries!!

We are being creative missionaries!! We go around and
write mormon.org or templemormonparis.org in chalk on the sidewalk,
with our phone number. 

We love the members of our branch!!  They are great!!!

Baptism!!!

This past week there was a branch picnic and it was great laying down some Dominos with them. Thanks Grandma Margret for teaching me the tricks of the trade! 

Victor was baptized yesterday!! He bore a strong testimony yesterday and was grateful to have been baptized. After he was immersed, we walked out of the font and he said," Wow Elder, I didn't know you were that strong!" I definitely made sure he was baptized. :) Yesterday after the baptism, I took the time to learn a little bit about Genealogy, it is very interesting. I wish I would have had more opportunities to use it as a missionary tool.

I have loved being a representative of Jesus Christ in the countries of France and Switzerland. Through out all of these experiences, I have felt the love of the Savior and the love that Heavenly Father has for each of His children. The worth of souls is great in the site of God. 

This is the work of the Lord. I know it to be true. The Holy Ghost has witnessed the truth of these things to me. The Book of Mormon is true and it testifies of Christ. One must read it and then pray about it with sincerity and faith addressing God in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ to know it. 

I have experienced great satisfaction and joy in the mission field. (As well as great trials and frustrations). This work refines us, sanctifies us, and tries us so that our actions reflect our words and thoughts. 

 I am excited to see you all!! 

Love,

Elder Garlock

P-Day Excursions and Zone Conference

We went to go see some chateaus with Frère M. The first one we went to is called 
Chateau de la Rochefoucauld. It was really cool. 
There was also a river running by it, with a little café over part of
it, and Frère M bought us some ice cream. 


Then we drove through some forests, and stopped at a few places. Frère M has a PhD in
Geology so he explained a bunch of stuff. Then we went to another little village, but
the chateau there was private and not really accessible but the
village itself was still really cool. 

Zone Conference with our new Mission President

A Little Bit More News...

Bonjour,
Remi, who has been coming to church for forty years, but has never been baptized, even though his whole family are members, has finally decided to be baptized!

 Beautiful Area!!

Victor, is still scheduled to be baptized. He's taken the lessons a few times before, including in America, and now he's ready. 

We did a little bit of service this week in the chapel library. It desperatelly needed some spring cleaning. We ended up throwing away four garbage bags full of stuff. Most of it was just outdated manuals or study guides. There was a certificate for the Young Womens Award that was signed by Howard W. Hunter, when he was the President of the Twelve, so back when Ezra Taft Benson was President. That's how long its been since this closet was cleaned out. We also found a film strip, A FILM STRIP!.... of Johnny Lingo!!

Reflections

We have a new mission president and new changes new programs and new activities.

 As I look back on these last 23 months of life, the over all theme as been gratitude and struggle. Which in turn means growth. The Book of Mormon, if read daily, changes us, inspires us and keeps us safe from losing the battle in which we are found. Throughout the duration of my mission, promised blessings and promised trials have been fulfilled. Often times, I am found praying to have a difficulty taken from me. However, following Christ's example, a more correct attitude in prayer would be: give me this mountain, give me the force to overcome, learn from and conquer these challenges. 

I remember my Mission President said, "A mission is not a mission unless you finish in the trenches of this war between good and evil!"

I think that applies to everything.  If we care enough about this war, would it not make sense to be on the front line being a leader for change, a leader for reform and a leader of truth holding the banner of freedom!

Testifying of God, following His steps holding fast to the IRON rod! I love Doctrine and Covenants 1. This is not the new born babe in Bethlehem speaking, this is the Resurrected glorified Christ, the Savoir the God of Israel, restoring the work of Salvation on the earth and calling us to prepare for His return. He calls on the simple and weak things of the world to THRASH the nations. I definitely fit that description and category. This Gospel and cause of Christ is real and true.  If Christ needs a witness, I am there for I am living in the trenches and feel and see the sun through the clouds, thunder and rain!  

Love, 

Elder Garlock

This is Elder Adams, a new companion.  Here are some of his thoughts.  Angoulême. Its a pretty beautiful place. The land is a lot more 'hilly.'' There's some rivers that run through the city. 

The climate is cool. Our apartment is really nice. The apartment used to be the worst in the mission,
according to President Murdock, but we got a new one a few months ago.

Elder Garlock is funny, and kind of crazy. For example, a member was dropping us off at our apartment, and we were almost there, just around another corner, and we were waiting at a light. Then Elder Garlock saw this guy walking outside, and he decided he wanted to contact him, so he jumped out of the car and ran after him. Then the light turned green and we had to go, so the member went and turned the corner and parked in front of our apartment. So I got our bags out of the car, thanked the member for the ride, and then went to find Elder Garlock. He looks exactly like Robert Patinson. 

Nathan with His Companion